“To educate interested seekers and artists about the Jewish esoteric tradition of Kabbalah in an entertaining manner… Shechinah, the Divine Feminie of the Kabbalists has been my path and my muse and her guiding wisdom is the inspiration behind this theatrical performance.”

More after the jump.She didn’t disappoint, every toe was tapping. The audience was very diverse in terms of religion, ethnic group and Jewish affiliation. When Rabbi Raphael brought out her Shechinah Oracle Cards along with an integrated Havdallah Ceremony to transition from Shabbat (the Sabbath) into the week, the multi-textured audience involvement was very meaningful and effective. People shared about Teshuvah, the transformation theme for life-realignments triggered by the Shechinah Oracle Cards. We were all touched.

Full disclosure, Rabbi Rayzel is a friend. She didn’t know I was coming. The combination of scholarship and art just blew me away. Her script is brilliant, in my opinion. Her is an excerpt:

Narrator:Kabbalah — l’kabel — to receive, to inherit an ancient traditionWisdom that has passed orally from master to student studied in hidden circlesA system built on layers of our people’s treasured teachings.

Voice: A new form of Midrash, legendary revelation

Voice: A new explanation and interpretation of an ancient text

Voice: A way that allows human beings to affect the Heavenly flow of blessing into the world

Then, in the most clear and user-friendly way, the essence of authentic Kabbalah is introduced — the creation theology, the Four Worlds, the Sephirot, the role a spiritual relationship to the metaphor of Shechinah can effectively serve in our lives.

Tired of Chinese food and a movie on Christmas Eve? Try some of the top Jewish comics in the business as the King Davids of Comedy take the stage. Our mensches present their hilarious schtick as the great tradition of Jewish comedians continues at the brand new Laughing Devil Comedy Club. Shows are hosted by Philadelphia Jewish Voice writer Steve Hofstetter from the Late Late Show and lineup is TBA – though past guests have included Jeff Garlin, Sarah Silverman, and more.